ABC - Read the historic League of Women Voter's protest

I posted the following protest letter to ABC news, along with my signature on a petition via MoveOn.org.

I watched every minute of the 2-hours (April 16th). I hung on as a matter of responsibility, not as a matter of appreciation for what I was watching. I was sad, embarrassed and horrified to see something that I feel disregarded and disrespected the voters and democracy itself. It was a dereliction—even a degradation of duty.

I felt like I was at a cock fight where the “moderators” were prodding the birds, attempting to create a spectacle. It was a spectacle—of how “out of touch” you are with your fellow Americans who really want substance at a presidential debate. Even worse, it was reminiscent of a Joe McCarthy hearing!

If we want spectacle we can watch just about any other commercial television show. Please. You are not just a show at times like this. You have a somber responsibility to facilitate our advancement of democratic process.

Please read the read the dramatic press release of October 3, 1988, by the League of Women Voters:
The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates . . . because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public.

Views expressed on this page are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future